The Roaring 80s: The Bicycle Economy Out of Control

Abstract

In 1988, Tokyo was a capital of opulence and reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties and the 1929 stock market crash. Clearly, Japan’s economy was over-heated. Famous designer-brand boutiques were installed in every department store. The large trading companies, in league with the retailers, imported apparel and leather goods. Despite prices that were far more expensive than in the country of origin, shoppers were willing to spend hard-earned income on famous brand names. To promote their brands as synonymous with imported luxury goods Japanese designers priced their apparel at almost the same rates as their foreign competitors.